just reading your confession danny....sorry for your losses.
i must say i agree with tintola regarding the birds taste sense!!
i thought keeping the bait away from the birds was hard enough....let alone the mouse poop.
i was wondering how/why the rodents have access to the feed trays?
i have elevated all seed/food approx 600mm off the floor with good results using plastic cable drum reels(free and last forever).
they are smooth/slippery and high enough to restrict the little buggers access to the feed. a feed tray with a high lip and presto....all that falls to the floor is husk.
Any mice in the aviary seem hungrier naturally and take baits with more gusto, a quicker kill means less time for the mice to deposit the poison via droppings.
i know parrotfinches in particular will find trouble if possible in an aviary because of their inquisitive nature but it may help at least.
as you say a different colour bait rather than green is a good idea anyway.
some also try to restrict water access from the mice to make their stay less comfortable....i have not gone this far yet.
i hope by now you are winning the battle with the little furry buggers ....winter approaching will only force more into seeking shelter in our aviarys.
